Overture to The Mikado
The D’Oyly Carte Opera Company
“ A Lively Experiment: The Chemistry of Gilbert and Sullivan”
I am experimenting with an old chemistry set and the lively characters found in the operettas created by the British theatrical partnership of Sir W.S. Gilbert (the comic Librettist, 1836-1911) and Sir Arthur Sullivan (the composer, 1842-1900). Both men are shown in the large Erlenmeyer Flasks; Sullivan is conducting with one finger, and wearing a monocle.
On the upper tier of the wooden rack, in test tubes, are the “Fairy Queen” and her love interest “Private Willis” - characters in the operetta Iolanthe. On the lower tier are the poet “Bunthorne,” who is in love with “Patience,” a milkmaid, characters from the operetta called Patience.
Free standing in kimonos are 2 lovers kissing, Yum-Yum and Nanki-Poo from the operetta Mikado.
The couples in fur coats, in Erlenmeyer flasks, are Richard D’Oyly Carte and his wife Helen Lenoir D’Oyly Carte. They were the impresarios that discovered and funded the team of Gilbert and Sullivan to create their successful operettas. They also founded the Savoy Theatre in London that showcased the G & S productions.
My kids, my husband and I have all enjoyed performing in G & S operettas at Interlochen Arts Camp, and in several groups around Boston. The operattas are performed world wide with great interest and comic contemporary interpretations.
Reginald Bunthorne, a poet in love with Patience, a milkmaid from the operetta called Patience ( also known by the title of Bunthorne’s Bride)
Danny Kaye, a charming American actor, singer, dancer, comedian recorded this song, as Bunthorne the poet, with the D’Oyle Carte Opera Company.
I Cannot Tell What This Love May Be sung by the character of Patience, a milkmaid by soprano Elsie Morison with the Glyndebourne Chorus and the Pro Arte Orchestra. Conducted by Sir Malcolm Sergeant.
From Iolanthe: The Queen of the Fairies (who never grows old) in love with Private Willis, becoming a fairy guardsman.
Soon As We May, Off and Away from Iolanthesung by the following:
Alan Styler, Donald Adams, Gillian Knight, Isidore Godfrey, Jennifer Toye, John Reed, Mary Sansom, Pauline Wales, Doyle Carte Opera Chorus, The New Symphony Orchestra of London Thomas Round & Yvonne Newman
Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado of Japan, disguised as a wandering minstrel, and in love with Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum is a ward of Ko-Ko, and also engaged to Ko-Ko, who is the Lord High Executioner of Titipu
Were you not to Ko-Ko Plighted
Nanki-Poo & Yum-Yum
Tenor Colin Wright Soprano Valerie Masterson
Royston Nash conductor, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
